Conservatorium of Music offers new program in music theatre

The Musical Theatre Principal Study in Bachelor of Music (Performance) offers unparalleled opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and creativity, using the extraordinary resources of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. No other university in Sydney currently offers a dedicated degree in Musical Theatre.

The program recognises the particular needs of singers working in musical theatre, offering stage skills, acting and dance training, which are all vital tools for performers. With the Con’s superior vocal and musical skills training, along with acting and dance, this degree provides optimal skills for students whose planned destination is stage and screen.

A team of respected industry professionals has designed the course, led by Dr Narelle Yeo, who has taught and worked in both opera and musical theatre, Olivia Ansell (Sydney Festival Director Designate 2022-2024) and Felicity Jurd (NIDA, the Actor’s Centre), along with Peter Cousens (Director of the Talent Development Project).

Dr. Narelle Yeo said:

Our graduates are going to draw on our diverse program offerings and the experiences of their industry mentors to reinterpret and reinvent musical theatre. We will equip them with the specific skills for success in music theatre, as well as Sydney Conservatorium’s known academic rigour for building well-rounded musicians.

Musical theatre in Australia is the second largest market of the Live Performance industry (according to Live Performance Australia) with a growth rate of 4.4 percent, 3.3 million patrons a year, $347.7 million in ticket sale revenue and with an increasing share of the government’s arts budget is going to musical theatre.